Check Foods You Should Start Eating Every Day

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is no walk in the park. Between squeezing in time for the gym during your busy work week to fighting off those stress-induced cravings (hello, large pepperoni pizza) it’s tough to be on point all the time.

And when you finally make a commitment to put those healthy habits into practice, it can be easy to focus on everything you’re giving up in the name of wellness (farewell, Hump Day happy hour) leaving you feeling defeated.

Yes, the struggle is real, but falling into a negative mindset will get you nowhere, especially when it comes to losing weight and getting healthy.

In fact, a U.K. study measured the the cravings of 129 women — some who were “dieting” to lose weight and some who were simply “watching” their weight without dieting — and found that, compared to the non-dieters, the dieters experienced more intense cravings for all the foods that were off-limits.

Moral of the story: focusing on restriction will not only make dieting miserable, it could actually sabotage your weight loss goals. So, instead of focusing on swearing off everything that’s “bad,” why not focus on adding more healthy options into your life? Here are several yummy (and nutritious) foods to start eating every day.

Leafy greens

Spinach, kale, arugula, oh my! According to Gisela Bouvier, a registered dietician and the face behind B Nutrition & Wellness, leafy green vegetables and lettuces provide boat loads of vitamins, minerals, and fiber to your everyday diet. She recommends incorporating them into your breakfast omelets, lunch salads and as dinner sides as an excellent way to ensure great phytonutrient intake daily.

To get even more nutrients, registered dietitian and physical therapist Rachel Cutts says darker greens reign supreme. “One cup of cooked kale is a powerhouse with 53.3mg of vitamin C, more than 50 percent of the recommended intake to help your immune system during this flu season,” she told me in an interview.

Nuts

Nuts are one of my favorite foods to snack on, so I must admit I was a little excited when Rebecca Lewis, in-house dietitian at HelloFresh, mentioned them as one of her go-to foods. “Nuts contain powerful antioxidants to clean up the damage in our bodies, cholesterol lowering phytochemicals, and high levels of anti-inflammatories such as omega-3 fatty acids,” she told me. She also noted that studies have shown nuts can help control your weight by helping prevent the hunger pangs that typically lead to snacking and overeating.

Bouvier is also a fan of nuts, specifically almonds. “Almonds are an easy and portable snack that can be eaten everyday and anywhere,” she said. “They are packed full of monounsaturated fat, which helps to increase high density lipoproteins, also known as good cholesterol, and lower bad cholesterol. Each serving also contains six grams of plant-based protein.”

Eggs

Eggs haven’t always had the best reputation, but new research shows this go-to breakfast food may actually be healthier than we once imagined. “Eggs are an amazing protein source,” said Bouvier. And while cholesterol in eggs used to be a concern, Bouvier explained to me, “It has been found that they are perfectly safe and can actually help raise good cholesterol levels.” She noted that one egg provides six grams of quality protein to your daily diet.

Berries

From strawberries to blackberries and everything in between, these little morsels of fruity goodness are not only delicious, they’re also packed with nutrients. “Berries are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants,” said Bouvier. “Whether they are fresh or frozen berries, adding them to breakfast cereal, yogurt, or a smoothie can be an excellent way to add great nutrition to your daily diet.”

Chelsey Amer, a NYC-based registered dietitian and the creator of C It Nutritionally, agrees. “Berries are my go-to fruit each and every day because they’re full of fiber and lower in sugar, plus full of tons of antioxidants, which helps reduce the stress your body naturally undergoes everyday,” she told me. “Plus, berries are sweet and delicious and so versatile.”

Avocado

Guacamole lovers, rejoice! Your favorite taco night staple might not be so bad after all. “We have been told to ‘fear fat’ for so long that I often find many of my clients eat very low-fat diets and are unsatisfied, which leads to mindless snacking,” explained Amer. “I suggest including more healthy fats like avocado, which contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fat that help reduce your risk of heart disease and boost satiation and satisfaction after a meal.”

Beans

If you’re looking to add more non-animal protein to your diet, beans are a great way to do just that. “Beans are a fabulous source of vegetarian protein and fiber — two nutrients that help you stay full and satisfied (a bonus when watching your weight),” said Lewis. “The protein and fiber in beans can also stabilize the rise in blood sugar that occurs after eating, which can also help stabilize mood.” She also adds that as a meat substitute, beans are a rich source of iron, as well as a good source of magnesium and potassium — nutrients that work together to lower blood pressure, maintain healthy cholesterol, and keep your heart and blood vessels healthy.

Fermented foods

If your favorite part of a hot dog has always been a giant dollop of sauerkraut, you may be on to something. According to Lewis, fermented foods (like sauerkraut) have recently gotten a lot of attention in the health food world. “With increased interest and scientific research to support the importance of gut health, probiotic-rich fermented foods have been enthusiastically called the new cure-all,” she told me. She also explained that the fermentation process of foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, and kombucha develop probiotics that keep the immune system safe, reduce inflammation, and directly influence the hormones our brains release, like cortisol (our stress hormone), ghrelin (our hunger hormone), and serotonin (our happiness hormone).

Oats

With hundreds of studies outlying the many health benefits of oats, it’s no wonder Grace Derocha, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, recommends this grain to her clients. “Oats are a great way to enjoy breakfast and keep you full until lunch,” she told me. “They are high in fiber and are known to help lower cholesterol due to the beta-glucan, which is an insoluble fiber naturally found in this healthy grain.”

If you think oats are just for breakfast, think again. “You can enjoy a savory oatmeal for lunch or dinner to mix it up,” Derocha suggested.

Apples

An apple a day can really keep the doctor away, according to Julie Rothenberg, a registered dietician based in South Florida. “Soluble fiber in apples helps to lower our bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and keep our bowel movements regular,” she said. Rothenberg also noted that apples contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps us to feel fuller for longer periods of time (helping with weight management).